Domestic violence victims remembered at vigil

Glenn Wyatt, sergeant with the Lexington Police Department (from left), Sheri Woodyard, Davidson County assistant district attorney and Sherri Hill, family empowerment social worker with Family Services of Davidson County, light candles in honor of victims of domestic violence Friday night in front of the steps of the Old Court House in Lexington.

Published: Friday, October 5, 2012 at 10:30 p.m.

Last Modified: Friday, October 5, 2012 at 10:30 p.m.

Heather Frazier, while holding a candle in her hand, wiped away the tears as she stood on steps of the Old Court House Friday night to remember her mother who died in 1995 as a result of domestic violence.

More than 75 people, including Frazier and her family members, gathered in front of the steps of the Old Court House to honor survivors and remember the 15 people who died as a result of domestic violence in Davidson County in the past 15 years. The Domestic Violence Awareness Month Peace Vigil was sponsored by Family Services of Davidson County, a nonprofit whose services include providing support for victims of domestic violence, and the Lexington Police Department.

“It's good therapy,” Frazier said of the vigil. “It's good to see a good turnout. I have great support from my co-workers, my family and several friends who couldn't be here (Friday night).”

Frazier is the supervisor of communications/records at the Lexington Police Department. She said she was 20 years old when her 40-year-old mother, Tempie Cross Knight, was shot three times in the head by her stepfather, Larry Knight, on Oct. 2, 1995. He was convicted of first-degree murder in 1996 and sentenced to life without parole.

“(The vigil) helps me keep her memory alive,” Frazier said. “It helps me, hopefully impacting others so they know there is hope. … If I can just help one person through giving them the resources that they need to make that choice and know there is help out there, that's my goal.”

So far in 2012, North Carolina has had 46 deaths (zero in Davidson County) due to domestic violence, said Catherine Johnson, crisis intervention director for Family Services of Davidson County. The 15 deaths attributed to domestic violence weren't just recognized by a person lighting a candle and standing on the Old Court House steps Friday night.

At the vigil, life-size images of people and children who died from domestic violence in the past 15 years, made of wood and painted black, stood along the steps of the courthouse Friday night. The silhouettes will be placed in various locations, including the Lexington Police Department's headquarters and Wake Forest Baptist Health – Lexington Medical Center, throughout the month of October as part of the Silent Witness national initiative.

Dr. Debbie Rice, executive director of Family Services of Davidson County, lit a candle to begin the vigil.

“For many of us, light signifies peace, signifies hope, signifies harmony,” Rice said. “(Friday night) we come to remember what that light can bring, and to walk together from the darkness of violence into the light of peace.”

Lexington Police Lt. Robby Rummage provided remarks on behalf of his department. He explained his agency is partnering with Family Services of Davidson County to stop domestic violence in the community.

“Make no mistake about it, domestic violence is about power,” the lieutenant said. “It's about control. I want everybody here as we remember these victims (Friday night), those who are known and unknown. I want everybody who can hear in my voice who may be elsewhere in the uptown area, that the power and control needs to stop. The power and control is what we as a community needs to take control of ourselves.”

So many people, Rummage said, go home to a safe home, where they can kick their feet up and feel safe. But he reminded those in attendance of the vigil that many people are living in “battle field” while dealing with domestic violence.

“Let's look out for each other,” Rummage said. “.. If you know someone who is a victim of domestic violence, please give us a call.”

Megan Richardson, therapist and advocate for Family Services of Davidson County, explained to those at the vigil that she works regularly with clients and families seeking services because of domestic violence. She said victims of domestic violence face risks, including death, by just leaving a relationship without having a plan for safety in place.

Lt. Melissa Price-Carter of the Lexington Police Department, who organized the event along with Rummage, was one of the 15 people to light a candle in honor of a resident who died from domestic violence in Davidson County in the past 15 years. She said she didn't know the victim personally, but she felt like she did. Carter hopes people who are suffering from domestic violence will come forward and take a stand.

“We are here to help everybody,” she said.

Toward the end of the event, everyone at the vigil lit a candle in honor of victims of domestic violence.

Darrick Ignasiak can be reached at 249-3981, ext. 217, or darrick.ignasiak@the-dispatch.com.

<p>Heather Frazier, while holding a candle in her hand, wiped away the tears as she stood on steps of the Old Court House Friday night to remember her mother who died in 1995 as a result of domestic violence.</p><p>More than 75 people, including Frazier and her family members, gathered in front of the steps of the Old Court House to honor survivors and remember the 15 people who died as a result of domestic violence in Davidson County in the past 15 years. The Domestic Violence Awareness Month Peace Vigil was sponsored by Family Services of Davidson County, a nonprofit whose services include providing support for victims of domestic violence, and the Lexington Police Department.</p><p>“It's good therapy,” Frazier said of the vigil. “It's good to see a good turnout. I have great support from my co-workers, my family and several friends who couldn't be here (Friday night).”</p><p>Frazier is the supervisor of communications/records at the Lexington Police Department. She said she was 20 years old when her 40-year-old mother, Tempie Cross Knight, was shot three times in the head by her stepfather, Larry Knight, on Oct. 2, 1995. He was convicted of first-degree murder in 1996 and sentenced to life without parole. </p><p>“(The vigil) helps me keep her memory alive,” Frazier said. “It helps me, hopefully impacting others so they know there is hope. … If I can just help one person through giving them the resources that they need to make that choice and know there is help out there, that's my goal.”</p><p>So far in 2012, North Carolina has had 46 deaths (zero in Davidson County) due to domestic violence, said Catherine Johnson, crisis intervention director for Family Services of Davidson County. The 15 deaths attributed to domestic violence weren't just recognized by a person lighting a candle and standing on the Old Court House steps Friday night. </p><p>At the vigil, life-size images of people and children who died from domestic violence in the past 15 years, made of wood and painted black, stood along the steps of the courthouse Friday night. The silhouettes will be placed in various locations, including the Lexington Police Department's headquarters and Wake Forest Baptist Health – Lexington Medical Center, throughout the month of October as part of the Silent Witness national initiative.</p><p>Dr. Debbie Rice, executive director of Family Services of Davidson County, lit a candle to begin the vigil.</p><p>“For many of us, light signifies peace, signifies hope, signifies harmony,” Rice said. “(Friday night) we come to remember what that light can bring, and to walk together from the darkness of violence into the light of peace.”</p><p>Lexington Police Lt. Robby Rummage provided remarks on behalf of his department. He explained his agency is partnering with Family Services of Davidson County to stop domestic violence in the community.</p><p>“Make no mistake about it, domestic violence is about power,” the lieutenant said. “It's about control. I want everybody here as we remember these victims (Friday night), those who are known and unknown. I want everybody who can hear in my voice who may be elsewhere in the uptown area, that the power and control needs to stop. The power and control is what we as a community needs to take control of ourselves.”</p><p>So many people, Rummage said, go home to a safe home, where they can kick their feet up and feel safe. But he reminded those in attendance of the vigil that many people are living in “battle field” while dealing with domestic violence.</p><p>“Let's look out for each other,” Rummage said. “.. If you know someone who is a victim of domestic violence, please give us a call.”</p><p>Megan Richardson, therapist and advocate for Family Services of Davidson County, explained to those at the vigil that she works regularly with clients and families seeking services because of domestic violence. She said victims of domestic violence face risks, including death, by just leaving a relationship without having a plan for safety in place.</p><p>Lt. Melissa Price-Carter of the Lexington Police Department, who organized the event along with Rummage, was one of the 15 people to light a candle in honor of a resident who died from domestic violence in Davidson County in the past 15 years. She said she didn't know the victim personally, but she felt like she did. Carter hopes people who are suffering from domestic violence will come forward and take a stand.</p><p>“We are here to help everybody,” she said.</p><p>Toward the end of the event, everyone at the vigil lit a candle in honor of victims of domestic violence.</p><p>Darrick Ignasiak can be reached at 249-3981, ext. 217, or darrick.ignasiak@the-dispatch.com.</p>